Nicolas Kim Coppola (born January 7, 1964), known professionally as "NicolasCage", is an American actor, producer and director. He has performed in leading roles in a variety of films, ranging from romantic comedies and dramas to science fiction and action movies. Cage is known for his prolificacy, appearing in at least one film per year, nearly every year since 1980 (with the exception of 1985 and 1991).

Born in Long Beach, California, to parents August Floyd Coppola, a professor of literature, and Joy (Vogelsang), a dancer and choreographer. He was raised in a Catholic family. His father was of Italian descent and his mother is of German and Polish descent. He attended Beverly Hills High School, which is known for its many alumni who became entertainers. He aspired to act from an early age and also attended UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. His first non-cinematic acting experience was in a school production of Golden Boy.

In the early years of his career, Cage starred in critically acclaimed films such as Valley Girl (1983), Racing with the Moon (1984), Birdy (1985), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), Raising Arizona (1987), Moonstruck (1987), Vampire's Kiss (1989), Wild at Heart (1990), Honeymoon in Vegas (1992), and Red Rock West (1993).

Cage received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance as an alcoholic Hollywood writer in Leaving Las Vegas (1995) before coming to the attention of wider audiences with mainstream films such as The Rock (1996), Face/Off (1997), Con Air (1997), City of Angels (1998) and National Treasure (2004). He earned his second Academy Award nomination for his performance as Charlie and Donald Kaufman in Adaptation (2002). In 2002, he directed the film Sonny for which he was nominated for Grand Special Prize at Deauville Film Festival. Cage owns a production company Saturn Films and produced films such as Shadow of the Vampire (2000) and The Life of David Gale (2003).

Though his performances in The Weather Man (2005), Lord of War (2005), The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009), and Kick-Ass (2010) earned critical acclaim, and films such as Ghost Rider (2007) and Knowing (2009) were box office successes, Cage has been strongly criticized in recent years for his choice of roles, some of which have been universally panned. He also voiced the character of Grug in the animated film The Croods.

In 2010, Cage starred in the period piece Season of the Witch, playing a 14th-century knight transporting a girl accused of causing the Black Plague to a monastery, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice, in which he played the sorcerer.

In 1988, Cage began dating actress 'Christina Fulton', who later bore their son, Weston Coppola Cage (b. December 26, 1990). Weston was the lead singer of the black metal band Eyes of Noctum, but broke up in 2012. His new band, Arsh Anubis, was formed in 2011 and is the same genre as his previous band. Weston also appeared in Cage's film Lord of War as Vladimir, a young Ukrainian mechanic who quickly disarms a Mil Mi-24 helicopter.

Cage has been married three times. His first wife was actress 'Patricia Arquette' married (April 8, 1995), divorce finalized (May 18, 2001).

Cage's second marriage was to singer/songwriter 'Lisa Marie Presley', daughter of 'Elvis Presley'. Cage is an Elvis fan and used the star as the base of his performance in Wild at Heart. Presley and Cage married (August 10, 2002) and filed for divorce on (November 25, 2002) which was finalized (May 16, 2004). The divorce proceeding was longer than the marriage.

Cage met his third and current wife Alice Kim, a former waitress who previously worked at the Los Angeles restaurant Kabuki and at the Los Angeles-based Korean nightclub, Le Privé. She bore their son, Kal-El, (after Superman's birth name) on October 3, 2005. Cage was once considered for the role of Superman in a film to be directed by Tim Burton. Alice had a minor role in the 2007 film Next, which Cage produced. They were married at a private ranch in Northern California on (July 30, 2004).

TRIVIA:

Proposed to 'Patricia Arquette' (qv) on the day he met her in the early 1980s. Arquette thought he was a bit strange but played along with his antics by creating a list of things Cage would have to fulfill to win her. When he started to work his way through the list, Arquette got scared and avoided him. They met again many years later and later went on to marry.

The _Wild at Heart (1990)_ (qv) movie poster lists his name as both "Nicolas Cage" and "Nicholas Cage".

In 2006, he donated $2 million to Amnesty International for a fund to help child soldiers.

Former stepfather of 'Patricia Arquette' (qv)'s son Enzo

His grandmother originates from Cochem/Mosel, Germany.

July 2006: Bought Schloss Neidstein, a mini castle in the Bavarian village of Etzelwang.

Former cousin, by marriage, of director 'Spike Jonze' (qv).

May 2001: Awarded an Honory Doctorate in Fine Arts by California State University, Fullerton. He spoke at the commencement.